Designers Rate: Ergonomic Seating

Wayne S. Koch, AIA, LEED AP
Principal, WKA Architects
Boston

Wilkhahn, ON
www.wilkhahn.com
My preference is for ergonomic chair designs that have a more minimal aesthetic without a great deal of "structural exhibitionism." The ON chair has a narrow profile, crisp metal elements, and an interesting approach to flexible seating.

Davis, Lucid
www.davisfurniture.com
Lucid is reminiscent of Bauhaus Modernism with its bent tube arms while maintaining an ergonomic approach, a dignified mix of form and texture in the woven back finish.

Knoll, Life
www.knoll.com
This is an elegant chair that demonstrates that the exposed structure does not need to become an overwhelming design element.

Florencia Kratsman
Senior Designer, TPG Architecture
New York

Steelcase, Leap Chair
www.steelcase.com
The simplicity of the design allows Leap to be used in classic, contemporary, and traditional environments. The option in Coach leather with stitching details exudes luxury. Easy-to-adjust features under the armrests make the chair welcoming to the most non-technical person.

Herman Miller, Embody Chair
www.hermanmiller.com
Embody is good for one's health and environmentally friendly: it improves oxygen flow, reduces heart rate, is extremely comfortable, is 95 percent recyclable, and has 42 percent recycled content. The seat depth adjustment is particularly good—you never sacrifice lumbar support for seat depth, which is ideal for very short or tall users.

Knoll, Generation
www.knoll.com
Knoll identified that people sit in different positions and designed a chair to accommodate. Generation is the first chair to be rated Smart Sustainable Platinum certified and PVC-free. Its progressive form complements modern and contemporary interiors, and the color range allows you to make it disappear into the background or to make it the accent in a room.